Thinking about giving up bodybuilding. Can an ectomorph really get big?

Thinking about giving up bodybuilding. Can an ectomorph really get big?

I'm 19, turning 20 this November. I made the decision in grade 10 at 15 years old to start working out because I was unhappy with being skinny. My whole family is tall. My dad is 6'5 and quite skinny and I'm a naturally the same way. It seems like I don't have the genetics for natural bodybuilding at all.

All in all I've managed to bulk myself up to 200...but 200 at 6'3 is not that impressive and in all honesty I still look fairly skinny. I'm beginning to think that there's no way I'll ever be a big guy unless I turn to steroids. Less than 15 minutes ago I called a local guy and placed an order for testosterone cypionate as a beginner cycle of gear. I called about 10 minutes later and called the order off. As much as I want to get big, I do not want to suppress my HPTA permanently at my age or risk side effects like balding or acne.

The thing is, after 5 years of bodybuilding I'm genuinely considering giving up. I'm so tired of busting my ass in the gym (on programs like German Volume Training, Gironda's 8x8, typical 5x5, etc.) and spending half of my day eating and preparing meals (and yes, my diet is quite healthy and I take in PLENTY of protein and complex carbs, fruits and veggies, etc. with loads of calories).

Is it reasonable to say that a skinny guy like me can actually build up to a decent sized frame without steroids? I honestly don't think I can do it. Anyone?

It takes time, even after 5 years, it takes time. Being 6'3 you have to realise that if you put on ten pounds it doesn't look as impressive as a 5'5 guy putting on 10 pounds. You don't have to shoot for steroids right away, you could look into stuff like epi or havoc. If I were you I would keep going till 220-230, decide then.

When you say you take in loads of calories does that mean you count them by measuring out your meals? If not then that is the first place to start. Being tall you will have a relatively high base metabolism and eating according to appetite is not a good way to ensure that you provide a sufficient energy surplus required for anabolism.

As far as looks go, yes an ecto can look muscular. I don't think they can achieve that wide-as-tall look that short stocky frames can achieve. However, I don't think that that is necessarily a bad thing either.

I'm 19, turning 20 this November. I made the decision in grade 10 at 15 years old to start working out because I was unhappy with being skinny. My whole family is tall. My dad is 6'5 and quite skinny and I'm a naturally the same way. It seems like I don't have the genetics for natural bodybuilding at all.

All in all I've managed to bulk myself up to 200...but 200 at 6'3 is not that impressive and in all honesty I still look fairly skinny. I'm beginning to think that there's no way I'll ever be a big guy unless I turn to steroids. Less than 15 minutes ago I called a local guy and placed an order for testosterone cypionate as a beginner cycle of gear. I called about 10 minutes later and called the order off. As much as I want to get big, I do not want to suppress my HPTA permanently at my age or risk side effects like balding or acne.

The thing is, after 5 years of bodybuilding I'm genuinely considering giving up. I'm so tired of busting my ass in the gym (on programs like German Volume Training, Gironda's 8x8, typical 5x5, etc.) and spending half of my day eating and preparing meals (and yes, my diet is quite healthy and I take in PLENTY of protein and complex carbs, fruits and veggies, etc. with loads of calories).

Is it reasonable to say that a skinny guy like me can actually build up to a decent sized frame without steroids? I honestly don't think I can do it. Anyone?

some people do not seem to be blessed with great genetics, and the ones that really do push through i envy, I am going to tell you a little story about a good friend of mine, we will call him john. at about 18 years old john smoked a pack a day, drank like a fish, and was a typical skater, skinny as a rail, never touched a weight, or even thought about it. this continued for about 2 more years, at 20yo john got really sick, the alcohol was worse, the drugs were worse, he was 5'10" 130lbs. finally he realized he needed to get out of that lifestyle, he needed a more beneficial vice than drugs and cigarettes. so He joined a gym, he had no clue wtf he was doing but he hit it hard and despite the pain, he continued on with it, when he was tempted to turn to drinking or smoking, he went to the gym. well years went by, john continued to train, and perfect his routines, he asked all the big guys questions, and never once considered turning to "the darkside" slowly he gained more and more weight, until he was about 26, he was a good 200lbs and was ready to compete. he competed at 172lbs, and did really well, and he stayed at that weight until he was about 29, due to school, john didnt have the time he needed for contest prep, so he took about 2 years off, in that two years he stuck to his training and at age 31 competed in the emerald cup at a little under 200lbs, and he won. not only did he win the emerald cup but in his years prior, he became Mr anchorrage alaska, winning numerous titles there and also earned his way to becomming a natural pro in the wfna and other natural organizations. right now john is 228lbs in his off season and he still makes gains, he has been featured in magazines, and even made it all the way to the team universe competition a few years ago, this all from a guy who had no muscle or build what so ever at the age of 20, he just focused on his goals and followed thru. You are still very young, your muscles will not even mature until you hit 26-27, so you have many years before your body hits its full potential, and besides, I know the gains feel great, but bodybuilding is a lifestyle, not only that it is a science, you just need to find what works for you, work out by feel, not by some magazine article, I am a firm believer that you get back only what you put in. put another plate on the bar, add 1000 calories to your diet and push out some reps. it's not only a constant battle in the gym, you gotta put your mind into your muscle, and soon you will be able to work out just by feel, not by some trainers or some magazines common routine. hope this inspires a little bit.

You should have no problems putting on mass at your size bro. You just simply need to eat more. There's no excuse for not gaining weight-- the problem is putting on the right kind of weight. That's coming from an ecto and former 150 lber.

YES!!!! please don't give up. it takes time. look into a compound workout to do three days a week. like MWF. something like...

squats
deads
bench
chins
military press
upright row

4 sets of 8 on monday, 4 sets of 10 on wednesday, 4 sets of 6 on friday, and on friday you add 5 lbs to your set. do this with a carb surplus (you'd probably need 5k if you're an ecto), and you'll gain 2 pounds per month for a year. when you first start this workout, go light, because this workout will beat you down. oh, and do them as supersets - two exercises back to back, 30 second break max. 35 minutes is the maximum time to do this workout, 30 minutes is ideal.

i did a similar workout to the above, and it took me from 5'9" and 126 to 170 in two years.

any workout that you can't go up by 5 lbs, switch out for a similar move.
squats to front squats
deads to sumo deads or suitcase deads
chins for pull ups

you get the idea. compound moves = most mass. for an ecto, thats your bread and butter.

some people do not seem to be blessed with great genetics, and the ones that really do push through i envy, I am going to tell you a little story about a good friend of mine, we will call him john. at about 18 years old john smoked a pack a day, drank like a fish, and was a typical skater, skinny as a rail, never touched a weight, or even thought about it. this continued for about 2 more years, at 20yo john got really sick, the alcohol was worse, the drugs were worse, he was 5'10" 130lbs. finally he realized he needed to get out of that lifestyle, he needed a more beneficial vice than drugs and cigarettes. so He joined a gym, he had no clue wtf he was doing but he hit it hard and despite the pain, he continued on with it, when he was tempted to turn to drinking or smoking, he went to the gym. well years went by, john continued to train, and perfect his routines, he asked all the big guys questions, and never once considered turning to "the darkside" slowly he gained more and more weight, until he was about 26, he was a good 200lbs and was ready to compete. he competed at 172lbs, and did really well, and he stayed at that weight until he was about 29, due to school, john didnt have the time he needed for contest prep, so he took about 2 years off, in that two years he stuck to his training and at age 31 competed in the emerald cup at a little under 200lbs, and he won. not only did he win the emerald cup but in his years prior, he became Mr anchorrage alaska, winning numerous titles there and also earned his way to becomming a natural pro in the wfna and other natural organizations. right now john is 228lbs in his off season and he still makes gains, he has been featured in magazines, and even made it all the way to the team universe competition a few years ago, this all from a guy who had no muscle or build what so ever at the age of 20, he just focused on his goals and followed thru. You are still very young, your muscles will not even mature until you hit 26-27, so you have many years before your body hits its full potential, and besides, I know the gains feel great, but bodybuilding is a lifestyle, not only that it is a science, you just need to find what works for you, work out by feel, not by some magazine article, I am a firm believer that you get back only what you put in. put another plate on the bar, add 1000 calories to your diet and push out some reps. it's not only a constant battle in the gym, you gotta put your mind into your muscle, and soon you will be able to work out just by feel, not by some trainers or some magazines common routine. hope this inspires a little bit.

Great post thanks! I suppose I was a little depressed at the realization that I wouldn't be taking steroids. I'm going to try to start aiming for:

55g protein
80g carbs
15g fat

per meal for 6 meals a day. Also with PLENTY of veggies and fruit and of course lots of water.

And thank you suncloud for your advice. I will be looking into a program. I'm not sure that 3 times a week is enough though...

thats the hardest part of this workout. i also don't like going to the gym that little. but it does work, and it works pretty well. you could also do a traditional workout 4 days per week, and throw that workout in on day 5. its not quite the same, but it will help you gain.

can you do me a favor, and post what your workout currently consists of, by day, order of exercise, and sets/reps? i would be more than happy to help an AM'er out, as far as offering suggestions as to why your workout may not be challenging you enough.

EDIT : also a recovery time estimate, like legs 3 days, etc would help greatly.

thats the hardest part of this workout. i also don't like going to the gym that little. but it does work, and it works pretty well. you could also do a traditional workout 4 days per week, and throw that workout in on day 5. its not quite the same, but it will help you gain.

can you do me a favor, and post what your workout currently consists of, by day, order of exercise, and sets/reps? i would be more than happy to help an AM'er out, as far as offering suggestions as to why your workout may not be challenging you enough.

EDIT : also a recovery time estimate, like legs 3 days, etc would help greatly.

i very rarely say this, but you could very well be overtraining. some of this workout i really like (exercise wise), others leave a little to be desired (tricep mass exercises don't exist, etc). also, i'm not terribly in favor of training back after a shoulder day. also, compound moves first - always for mass. if i were to rewrite this for you (keep in mind that workout is a fairly advanced one - executioner bench is not a beginners movement), i would consider the following :

that's my 2 cents. honestly, the lack of deadlifts is probably whats keeping you from growing (yes, its that important), as well as you might be on the brink of overtraining. hopefully that helps point you in the right direction.

i very rarely say this, but you could very well be overtraining. some of this workout i really like (exercise wise), others leave a little to be desired (tricep mass exercises don't exist, etc). also, i'm not terribly in favor of training back after a shoulder day. also, compound moves first - always for mass. if i were to rewrite this for you (keep in mind that workout is a fairly advanced one - executioner bench is not a beginners movement), i would consider the following :

that's my 2 cents. honestly, the lack of deadlifts is probably whats keeping you from growing (yes, its that important), as well as you might be on the brink of overtraining. hopefully that helps point you in the right direction.

Thanks very much for taking the time to write this out. I'm not surprised you have the good reputation you do around here. Honestly, I completely hear you when you say my lack of deadlifts are a factor. I think I will look into a good mass building program that isn't quite as advance as Gironda's that incorporates the big three.

I gotta go with a more traditional workout than an 8x8, it is said that maximum growth occurs in no more than 4-5 sets, most often in the fourth set, as that should be your max work set. 8x8 is more to get definition and keep size, but not add much, I use similar workout when I am leaning out for a comp in order to striate the muscle and also keep as much mass as possible without losing, i really have no hope to gain any mass when I lean out. heavy compound lifts is really where the money is, I will usually try to hit my two rep max once every 8days or so in all compound exercises, also i throw my muscles for a loop almost every workout, say I do just regular flat bench as my heavy set on chest one chest workout, the next I will do incline with chains on the bar for resistance, or I will do decline negatives till i wanna puke, be creative and ensure that you are working the desired muscle group. my girlfriend sometimes gets irritated that I spend so much time thinking of different ways to shock my muscles, she'd rather see more effort put towards her, but it is an addiction, change some stuff up and i bet you will see some great results. and remember looking into the near future is sometimes disappointing, look 2-3 even four years down the road, it has taken me 3 to put on 20 pounds of muscle naturally. but it was well worth it now looking back. good luck

You will grow physically, spiritually, and mentally your entire life, this is not a easily won battle.

Focus on the positives and keep building and moving closer to your goals, dont give up. Youve got the rest of your life to think about what you have that is already great and build from there, hey your tall and skinny but your alive, healthy and loved im sure. So go to the fridge grab some food and have a glass of cold water that you didnt have to walk to a stream to get and think it can always be worse.

Now get your hands dirty, make your life and body how you would like it.

smeaton, ectomorph doesnt equal undereater. its a scientific fact that we have bodytypes. Undereater in this sport maybe but even if an ecto over eats they are still ecto.

its not easy esp being an ecto. if you want to give up then you dont have the patience anyway and you dont deserve to have muscle given to you. Everyone has their battles you have to figure out with time and smart experimentation what works for you. Ecto is not neccassarily a bad thing.

Definately dont use any steroids either. Up your calories and change your training routine.....add some smart choices as far as supplements go and get good rest. Stay dedicated and be rewarded with hard work in the end. Dont give up

I’m 6’5” and started lifting around 15 and did not see the same results as all the munchkins would get. At 18-19, I was just as frustrated. Everyone grows in different ways, but when I was in my early 20s (21-23) I started filling out and put on a lot of lean weight. You might be going through the same thing. Even though you have been working out for five years, you’re still young enough that your body might not have fully grown. I gained over 20 pounds after 21, just from ‘growing up.’

smeaton, ectomorph doesnt equal undereater. its a scientific fact that we have bodytypes. Undereater in this sport maybe but even if an ecto over eats they are still ecto.

I agree with this up to a point. That is that an ecto's limitation will be in lean body mass. If the OP cannot get past 200lbs on the scale then as long his endocrine system is up to the task, he is simply not eating enough. Excess calories WILL be used either to build muscle or to add to fat stores.

It is a different issue altogether if the OP's problem is that he cannot add any more muscle regardless of a weight increase on the scale.